Social media apps seem to update as fast as you can refresh your timelines! With the constant changes being rolled out, we want to let you know what you should be prepared for and how to adjust your usage or strategy.
The Exit of Fleets
When Twitter launched Twitter Fleets, our agency was skeptical about the usage and lack of creativity from Twitter. In our blog from February 2021, we detailed how it was the same as Instagram Stories and how Fleets removed the News section and video streaming tabs on top of the timeline. It has now been decided the valuable space at the top of the Twitter timeline could be better allocated for Twitter Spaces. Did you ever Fleet? We didn’t.
Twitter Monetization
Twitter Spaces is what Clubhouse is (or was) and allows creators and users to connect in a group setting to collaborate and exchange thoughts. If you’ve created a personal Twitter account or a company Twitter page with 1,000 followers, are at least 18 years old and have hosted three Twitter Spaces within a 30-day period, you can make extra cash! Schedule a Ticketed Space to host an event for your followers and earn money from them.
Another money-making option from Twitter is Super Follows. If you have 10,000 followers, are at least 18 years old and have tweeted 25 times in the last 30 days, you will be given the ability to have Twitter fans subscribe to your page. This concept is very similar to Patreon’s monthly subscription-driven model, allowing followers to pay to access premium content.
Facebook Tracking
We were told it was coming for months. Facebook started informing users and content creators alike that the iOS 14.5 update would change the way the Facebook Pixel would retarget users. If you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 14.5, you’ve been presented with a request to track your activity. You can tap “Allow” or “Ask App Not to Track,” denying tracking while using the Facebook app and many others that track cellphone usage. With the Facebook Pixel having less tracking of iPhone users, many companies running Facebook retargeting ads have noticed a dip in reach, engagement and impressions. Your ads will still work, but the people you are delivering them to have been altered.
New Connections in “People You May Know”
Have you noticed the “People You May Know” section on LinkedIn isn’t people you actually know? The only thing they seem to really have in common with you is a bunch of similar connections. To help you find higher-quality connections, LinkedIn has overhauled their feature. Instead of having a surplus of suggested connections from your hometown, where you went to school or where you have worked, LinkedIn is providing the option to build better professional contacts. The goal is to balance the recommendations to promote people who are not seeing an abundance of connection requests. People who are actively sending and receiving connection requests might not see a big difference. If you are not an active LinkedIn user, take a look at the updated “People You May Know” section. You should start seeing a different pool of people with whom you can network.
Instagram Algorithm Truths and Longer Reels
It isn’t often that a social media company lets us see behind their algorithm. However, Instagram recently explained how their Instagram Reels’ algorithm works. As transparent as they were, a lot of what we were told wasn’t all that surprising. If you are searching within the Reels, you are more likely to see content you are interested in and content similar to what you’ve previously engaged with within Reels. The Reel algorithm will also feed you more Reels depending on your engagement history with a brand or account. Overall, the algorithm will deliver you more of what you are engaging with and watching longer.
Another small update that Instagram added to Reels was increasing the time limit from 30 seconds to 60 seconds. The move seems to better align with the Instagram TV feature, with any video 60 seconds or longer being segmented into the IGTV category.
At Baer Performance Marketing, we are constantly observing social media updates and technology advances while asking, “How can we or our customers use this?” If you’re looking to better understand a social media platform, we are here for you. Contact us to get the conversation started.
